Donations in memoriam

Giving on behalf of a loved one who has passed is a great way to honour a life. Not only will their memory remain vivid, but their life's work may be continued on in their name.

• Philip Emlyn Thomas
• Godfrey Tanner
• Jack Doherty
• Williams Family
• Lewis Ewart Lewis
• Bill and Iris Burges
• Bill Bowmore
• John Keats
• Glen Avery 

Philip Emlyn Thomas (1940-2001)

Philip Emlyn Thomas was a graduate of the University of Newcastle and had a successful career as an industrial chemist and Company Managing Director and was always committed to making a difference where he could to benefit the lives of others .

After his death in 2001 The Philip Emlyn Thomas Scholarships were established by his wife Jennie to commemorate his life, his passions and his interests. .

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< A Life Dedicated to Others: In Memory of Phillip Emlyn Thomas (PDF, 19KB)

Godfrey Tanner (1927-2002)

Godfrey Tanner's wonderful sense of humour, willingness to mix and socialise with students, absolute commitment to education and unique approach to life all helped earn him the title of 'living treasure'.

Professor Godfrey Tanner was a distinguished Classics scholar who had devoted the greater part of his life to the University of Newcastle and its students. Melbourne and Cambridge educated and with a formidable intellect, Godfrey, as he was affectionately known, threw himself into the life of the University from the day he took up his appointment. Godfrey's lectures were renowned, so much so that many non-Classics students attended them just for pleasure!

Godfrey Tanner felt very strongly about making education possible for financially disadvantaged students. Although he passed away in 2002, his life's commitment to education continues to live through the scholarship fund.

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< The Godfrey Tanner Memorial Scholarship Fund (PDF 18KB)

< Judy Vajak - first Godfrey Tanner Scholarship recipient (PDF 153KB)

Jack Doherty (1914-1990)

Jack Doherty saw tertiary education as a key factor in Aboriginal liberation. Jack's scholarships are intended to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete studies at the University of Newcastle.

Jack Doherty was a former University science lecturer and formed the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group (NASG) in 1980. Despite the cause being very unpopular among white Australians, Jack built a strong group of like-minded individuals to listen to the concerns of Aboriginal people in Newcastle and to try and help them. Until his death from cancer 10 years later, he worked tirelessly in the cause of recognition and justice for Indigenous people. The scholarships Jack has donated are funded by community donations under the auspices of the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group.

Williams Family

The Williams Family scholarship encourages students in the study of Classics at the University. The scholarship was initiated through Mark Williams, a graduate of the University and a dedicated member of the University rowing club, in honour of the Williams family.

The Williams Family is a well known family in the Junction Area with a great tradition of involvement in the life of the Newcastle Community.

Lewis Ewart Lewis (1909 - 2004)

In 2005 the University of Newcastle received a very generous bequest from the estate of the late Mr Lewis Ewart Lewis. This donation was used to establish the Lewis endowment fund to support scholarship in Physiotherapy. The executives of the Estate, Mr and Mrs Barry and Janice Croese, wanted to establish this scholarship to honour the memory of Lewis. As a physiotherapist, Lewis committed his entire career to the wellbeing of the people in Newcastle.

Born in Newcastle in 1909, Lewis commenced his professional career as a podiatrist and chiropodist before qualifying as a physiotherapist in 1945. One of the pioneers of private physiotherapy practice, Lewis was highly regarded by both his many patients, some of whom travelled four to five hours each way to consult him, and by his peers. He retired from his practice in Hunter Street, Newcastle in 1968 but maintained an active interest in physiotherapy for the rest of his life.

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< Lewis Lewis Scholarship (PDF 17KB)

Bill and Iris Burges (1916-2002) (1917-2000)

Newcastle graduates Steve and Bill Burges have established a trust fund at the University in memory of their parents Bill and Iris. The Bill and Iris Burges Trust funds a professorial position in medical science at the University.

Both Bill and Iris devoted much of their working lives to the betterment of Newcastle, with Bill becoming Town Clerk in 1950, a position he held until his retirement in 1977. He was instrumental in much of the post-war municipal development in the city and its region and played a major role in establishing the campus of the University.

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< Burges Trust Provides an Enduring Link (PDF 24KB)

Bill Bowmore OML AO OBE (1909-2008)

Through his great love of music and the arts Bill Bowmore has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of the Hunter Region. An active supporter of the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music since his enrolment there in 1952, Bowmore donated $250,000 to the Conservatorium in 2004.  "This community has given so much to me and this is my way of saying thank you," said Bill.

In 2002, Bowmore was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Newcastle and an Order of Australia 'for service to the arts as a collector, donor, benefactor and patron of galleries in Australia, and to young musicians as a teacher and sponsor of concerts and scholarships'. His contribution to the Conservatorium has enabled the establishment of the William Bowmore Undergraduate Scholarship in Cello.

Emeritus Professor John Augustus Keats (1921-2008)

Emeritus Professor John Keats passed away on 1 January 2008; he was 86 years old. John was appointed Foundation Professor of Psychology in 1965 and retired in 1986. Together with Daphne Keats, John was a passionate supporter of our University, Psychology, and international relations especially with China.

During his time as Professor of Psychology, he also held a number of significant positions in the University, including Dean of Arts, Dean of Science and Dean of Mathematics. Emeritus Professor Keats also worked with his wife and Conjoint Professor, Daphne Keats, in cross-cultural psychology through which they had strong international links, particularly in China.

They created the 'John and Daphne Keats Endowment Research Fund' in 2000 to support post graduate researchers and junior staff. The fund has supported a range of projects including research into memory systems and the development of a cross-cultural response to HIV/AIDS in ethnic communities in China. University of Newcastle Chancellor Professor Trevor Waring said Emeritus Professor Keats would be remembered as a person with a great passion for academia.

"John made an enormous contribution to the University, in particular through supporting students and encouraging the pursuit of academic and research excellence," Professor Waring said.

Glen Avery

Glen Avery’s unrivalled energy and enthusiasm for helping others is legendary. During 20 years of outstanding service to the University of Newcastle, he touched the lives of many. To honour Glen’s spirit of giving, the University has established the Glen Avery Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Glen will be remembered for the care and service he provided to colleagues, students, their families and members of the community with whom he interacted. During his many years at the University he worked in a variety of roles that reflected Ghis love of people and his commitment to service. Even in difficult times, Glen’s dedication to service provision never wavered and his generous, if sometimes quirky, spirit always supported others.

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< Glen Avery Memorial Scholarship Fund (PDF 51KB)